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Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, same as bees and wasps. They’re one of the most successful insect creatures on the planet, colonizing almost every landmass with only Antarctica and a few similarly inhospitable places lacking indigenous ants.

So it’s no surprise that they’re commonly found in US homes – they’re actually the most commonly reported pests, and figuring out what to do about these ants is easier when you know what you’re dealing with.

CARPENTER ANTS

What do they look like?

Carpenter ants are one of the largest of all ant species, and are usually black though other types of carpenter ants may have red or yellow coloration.

Where can I find them?

They’re one of the most common ants found in Arizona, named so because they build their nests inside chewed out wood. They hollow out sections of trees or infest wooden buildings and structures, causing structural damage (and being an overall nuisance).
They typically have around 3,000 adult ants per colony, and you may spot these ants because of the sawdust they leave behind when creating their nests. A few ants in the colony are able to fly.

What do they eat?

They’re drawn to moisture (and like to nest in moist wood) and of course, food. They feed on protein such as living or dead insects (and pet food), and are also attracted to foods containing sugar and fat. They do not eat wood.

Are they dangerous?

Not only do carpenter ants bite in defense when their nests are disturbed, they’re also able to spray acid onto the bite wound which makes their bite more painful. They do not have stingers.

As mentioned above, they’re capable of causing damage to wooden structures.

How do you get rid of them?

If the nest is easily accessible, you can use carpenter ant foam or dust to kill the colony – be sure to follow the instructions on the package to get rid of them more effectively.

You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the nest. This is a natural, nontoxic substance and is safe to use, however, may be harmful when inhaled by humans and pets so be careful when using it.

Another way to get rid of them is by using boric acid bait. You can get boric acid from a garden supply store. Mix 2/3 boric acid with 1/3 powdered sugar and place it near the nest.

HARVESTER ANTS

What do they look like?

They may be a range of red, brown, or black in color. They’re about ¼ to ½ inches long.

Where can I find them?

Unlike carpenter ants, harvester ants like to live outside in yards and gardens. You’ll find their nests on the ground, marked by a crater or opening in the center of a small mound. These nests may be easy to spot, since they remove the surrounding vegetation and you may see bare spots on your lawn.

There can be as many as 10,000 harvester ants per colony.

What do they eat?

They harvest seeds as their primary food source – and that’s actually how they got their name. They may also collect dead insects, and are capable of eating human food such as crackers and candy.

Are they dangerous?

Despite their small size, they have large mandibles that are capable of painful bites. They also have stingers they use when their nests are disturbed.

They can wreak havoc in gardens and lawns, and are a big problem for farms.

How do you get rid of them?

You may be able to kill most of the harvester ants in their colony by pouring boiling water into their nest into the mound opening.

You can also try granular baits – place poisonous granular baits near the mound and let the harvester ants take it back to their nest.

Sprinkling diatomaceous earth on or near their mound also works to kill harvester ants.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local pest control company for help in getting rid of ant infestations.

Check out our other blog entries on ants here.